Page 47 of Stoplight
“Hello?”
“Got damn.” He huffed with relief. “Where the fuck you been at? I've been calling you for the last three weeks.”
A short breath flowed from her nose as she propped one of her elbows on the table.
“I had a family emergency. That’s why I’ve been MIA.”
“And you couldn’t tell me that?” he snapped. “You act like it would’ve killed you to send me a text. What the fuck, Calia?”
“I know, I should’ve said something, but I’m dealing with a lot here, so excuse the fuck outta me for not putting you first.” She matched his energy since she was in no mood to be chastised by Braye when her husband was fighting for his life.
The phone had become so silent that she had to see if he was still on the line.
“My bad.” His voice softened. “I was worried, baby. Disappearing on me like that when you promised it would be me and you had a nigga fucked up. Everything all good?”
“No, my husband was in an accident. He’s on life support.”
The line went silent again. “Damn, what kind of accident?”
Clearing her throat, she confirmed, “A car accident. It was pretty bad. I’ve been at the hospital hoping that he shows signs of waking up.”
“That’s fucked up.” Braye seemed to sympathize with her. “So, now what? You gon’ take him off or nah?”
Cali’s features contorted into a scowl. “No, of course not. I’m hoping he comes out of this alive.”
“I mean, I understand. You don't want a nigga to die… I gotta ask though. What does this mean for us?”
Her upper lip curled immediately. “As far as what?”
“Me and you.”
Cali rolled her eyes, trying her best to keep her attitude from emerging. “I’m not thinking about that right now. I’m trying to keep it together for my family.”
“So, just fuck our plans then, huh?”
Cali gawked, taken aback by Braye’s selfishness. “Did you not just hear me tell you that my fucking husband is clinging to life? What aren’t you getting about that?”
“I heard you, but don't act like you didn’t promise me it would be us. You did say that shit, Calia.”
“Well, plans changed. I can’t leave my husband in a hospital when there’s a big possibility he won’t make it. What kind of woman do you take me for?”
Cali was extremely turned off by Braye’s insistence to hold her to a promise when Rio could die at any second. She didn’t expect him to have compassion for her husband, but she at least thought he would extend it to her.
“Now you high and mighty all of a sudden?” He scoffed. “Fuck outta here. You are the same woman that led me on for three years. Don't act like you this down-ass bitch all of a sudden.”
“Yeah, bitch! I’m high and mighty for my fucking husband. The fuck you thought.”
“Bitch?” he repeated. “I’ll come up there and make sure you get a room next to that nigga of yours. Don't ever disrespect me, Calia.”
“Fuck you!”
Cali ended the call and placed her phone on do not disturb. She was so bothered by her phone call with Braye that she pushed her soup away.
“Selfish-ass nigga.”
It was funny how the tides had turned in her life. Three weeks ago, Braye had been the love of her life. They’d made plans to ride into happiness and be blissful together. Within twenty-one days, their bond had been severed by a tragedy that ripped through Cali’s heart. Although her choice had been made, Cali was forced to make an addendum. New conditions had arose, and her obvious choice had to be Rio.
“There you are.” Irish beamed at her as she strutted toward her. “Ms. Ruthia said you were in the cafeteria.”
